College Requirements

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Dispositions

The academic programs within the College of Education have set forth these dispositions as educational and professional expectations for all students. Students should be aware that failing to abide by DePaul University or College of Education policies including, under certain circumstances, these dispositions, could result in adverse consequences for the student, including removal from his or her program, the College of Education, or the University.

Reflects on progress and identifies strengths and weaknesses, including evaluating strategies for success, finding alternatives for inappropriate strategies, and modifying future practices

Is receptive to faculty feedback and acts meaningfully and professionally upon suggestions

Understands the importance of and is committed to communicating clearly orally and in writing both in traditional and in new and emerging digital formats

Values and is committed to continually developing strong content area knowledge and/or knowledge of the professional field, including pedagogical content knowledge

Takes initiative, uses imagination and creativity, and seeks out information using a variety of human and material resources and technology to inform his or her teaching

Is aware of the role of classroom environment and uses management procedures that reflect respect and care for learners and concern for their emotional and physical well being

Takes the time and effort needed to understand how students learn, including discovering their interests and experiences and determining how to shape teaching acts (using technology as appropriate) that engage learners meaningfully and actively

Values and is committed to using assessment to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of the learner

Respects and considers cultural contexts in order to determine how to be responsive to learners and to proactively promote all students' learning

Values and is responsive to diverse learners' academic, emotional, and social needs through teaching acts (including careful instructional planning, implementation, and differentiation) and through everyday interactions with students

Is committed to collaboration with colleagues, families, and communities in order to promote all students' learning and development

Balances self-confidence and assertiveness with respect for others' perspectives

Respects the requirements, expectations, and procedures of both the College of Education and of our field partners and appreciates the issues of trust, fairness, and professionalism involved

Advanced Standing

Students are conditionally admitted to the College of Education. There are additional requirements to reach Advanced Standing in your program in the College of Education. Requirements must be met to progress in the major and take courses in the Advanced Standing category.

Advanced Standing requirements are:

Maintain a DePaul Graduate 3.00 GPA

Pass the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)

Pass the minimum of 8 credit hours

Submit a petition for advanced standing form

Students should attempt to complete the Advanced Standing requirements soon after beginning the program. There is no time limit to meet these criteria; however, students will only be able to take pre-education courses until requirements have been met. Students can also take liberal studies or content area courses before or after meeting Advanced Standing requirements.

Licensure Tests

All individuals licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to complete licensure tests specific to their teaching license.

Field Experiences

Each student seeking licensure from the College of Education / Professional Education Unit must complete supervised field experiences in appropriate settings in conjunction with education courses. The field experiences must include a variety of grade levels, multicultural experiences, and a minimum of 15 hours in special education settings. All field experiences must be completed prior to final approval for student teaching. Field experience hours should be entered by the student into the FEDS system when completing courses with field experience requirements.

Endorsements

An endorsement is a subject area that you can qualify for to teach full time, in addition to your main licensure area. Endorsements are issued at three levels: primary, middle school, and high school.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issues endorsements in various subject areas. To view the full list and requirements, visit the ISBE website.

Qualifying for an endorsement at the middle school level requires 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) in a teachable subject area and complete SCG 439. Some areas (like math) have specifically required courses. Courses must have a grade of C or better to qualify for endorsements and must be earned credit listed on a college transcript.

Endorsement requirements for the primary level are identical to the middle school requirements except that they do not require SCG 439. There are a limited number of areas available at the primary level.

Qualifying for most endorsements at the high school level requires 24 semester hours (48 quarter hours) in a teachable subject area* and passing the relevant content area test. DePaul will only recommend individuals for endorsements in the following high school areas: art, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, math, Russian, science**, social science**, and Spanish.

* Exceptions to the basic requirements for high school level endorsements include the subject areas of foreign language, science, and social science. For foreign language, 32 semester hours (48 quarter hours) OR the content area test in the language is required.

**For science and social science, 32 semester hours (48 quarter hours) in the broad area of either science or social science, and 12 semester hours in the specific endorsement designation area, plus the content area test are required. To qualify for additional science and social science designations, individuals applying after February 1, 2012 need both the content test and 12 semester hours in the additional designation area.

Student Teaching Requirements

Student Teaching is the culminating clinical experience in the student's program. All students in teacher preparation programs must meet the following requirements before applying for student teaching:

Review and approval by Student Teaching Committee of the College of Education

Student Teaching Timeline and Deadlines:

Attend a Mandatory Meeting approximately 1 year prior to expected quarter of student teaching.

Submit application for student teaching after attending Mandatory Meeting, approximately 1 year prior to student teaching.

Academic requirements are due one quarter before expected quarter of student teaching.

Clinical requirements are completed as course requirements. Field experience hours are entered by the student as coursework is completed.

Online Faculty Evaluations are entered by the instructor of relevant courses. All data must be entered in the Field Experience Documentation System (FEDS) due one month prior to student teaching.

Individual child care agencies and public and private school districts may have additional requirements (application, training, background check, etc.).

Degree Conferral and Graduation

The awarding of a degree is not automatic. You must submit an application to be considered for the degree. DePaul awards and posts degrees at the end of each regular academic term (autumn, winter, spring, summer I and summer II).

It is your responsibility to initiate the degree conferral application process by submitting an online application. Submitting an application means you intend to finish your degree requirements by the end of the term for which you have applied.

Graduate students must be approved for student teaching and complete student teaching, seminar, and induction courses to be cleared for the degree. Student must submit graduation application for the quarter you are completing the final course (student teaching is considered a course).

After you submit the application, you cannot register for any term after the one selected in the application.

To apply for degree conferral, log on to Campus Connection. Select FOR STUDENTS, then GRADUATION, then APPLY FOR DEGREE CONFERRAL. On screen instructions will take you through the application process.

Provided that all requirements and financial obligations are met, degrees are posted 30 days after the official end of the term. Official dates are listed on the Academic Calendar.

DePaul holds one commencement ceremony each year in June. If you intend to participate, you must first apply for degree conferral for the current academic year and then submit a cap and gown order. Honors are not announced at the ceremony for undergraduates completing their final courses in spring quarter because a final GPA is not available at the time of the ceremony.

Additional information about degree conferral and graduation can be found on the College of Education website.

Licensure

Requirements for licensure include completion of the full licensure program and all licensure tests (including OPI for world language majors). A bachelor's degree is required; a master’s degree is not.

Individuals must submit an application directly to the Illinois State Board of Education after completion of requirements and after DePaul has submitted notification to ISBE. Application requirements include application form, application fee, official transcripts, and registration fee.

All individuals must meet ISBE requirements in place at the time of application for the license. Requirements are subject to change per the discretion of ISBE.

Individuals seeking additional endorsements after applying for the license must contact ISBE directly for an evaluation request. ​